Kabataang Makabayan (KM) youths in Northern Negros recently founded a chapter of their revolutionary organization, in an effort to advance the people’s war to a higher level in the guerrilla front.

This new KM chapter was named after Comrade Emaren Pastidio to honor her heroism. Pastidio, or Ka Jandy to her comrades and the masses she served, was a woman Red fighter of the New People’s Army (NPA)-Northern Negros (Roselyn Jean Pelle Command). She was martyred in an encounter with the 79th IB in Sitio Mansulao, Barangay Pinapugasan, Escalante City, Negros Occidental on February 21, 2024.

At a young age, Pastidio was aware of the revolution and people’s struggle because of her family’s involvement in the movement. Their livelihood as a middle peasants was borne out from the struggle in the area.

Pastidio became an active member of the cultural organization Teatro Obrero, which further deepened her understanding of Philippine society’s conditions. In 2018, the 79th IB arrested the then 22-year-old Pastidio and another comrade in San Carlos City. The battalion took them to its headquarters and subjected them to intense torture and interrogation. Due to her family and human rights groups’ insistence, they were later freed.

Pastidio joined the NPA after suffering the military’s cruelty. The NPA-Northern Negros states she contributed greatly to opening areas for organizing in Don Salvador Benedicto and San Carlos City.

Pastidio again suffered cruelty at the hands of the 79th IB in January 2021. While on medical leave and caring for her infant Baby Marx Cairo, the enemy tracked her down in Talisay City. Soldiers abducted, tortured, and raped Pastidio for 10 days before she escaped and the people’s army rescued her. Meanwhile, the military and National Task Force-Elcac kidnapped her infant and held him hostage to force her and her husband into surrendering.

According to KM-Northern Negros, despite her suffering, Pastidio continued serving the peasant and farmworker masses in northern Negros until she died in an encounter.

According to KM, establishing the chapter in Ka Jandy’s name slaps the 79th IB’s repeated use of her martyrdom for flaunting their supposed “victory.” The group pledges that the new generation of revolutionary youth will carry forward what she began.

Greetings on the establishment

Two KM chapters based in Metro Manila sent greetings on the establishment of KM-Northern Negros.

According to KM-Kris Montañez, establishing the chapter proves that the spirit of the people’s martyrs like Ka Jandy can never be buried. “Their victory will sprout anew in new types of revolutionaries that will smash the ruling class and the fascist state’s instrumentalities,” it stated.

“This chapter’s establishment further strengthens the ranks of youth ready to stand against fascism, feudalism, and imperialism,” KM-John Paul Calica declared.

Both called on KM-Northern Negros to continue to grow and strengthen its ranks and advancing KM’s militant tradition.